Stoke Bomber

Supply

2012

On the back of Stoke Beer’s success McCashins Brewery wanted to extend their range into a bigger, bolder offering for the bona fide beer aficionado. The range would be called Stoke Bomber.

Stoke Bomber is bigger in size, harder hitting in flavour and alcohol content, the brief was to create an identity and subsequent packaging design to clearly describe and graphically represent the bold and strong approach to the range. The solution would fit into and compliment the Stoke family of beverages but have a distinct, powerful identity and personality of it’s own.

The Stoke brand has played heavily on retro imagery and nostalgic typography, and these foundations along with the Bomber name encouraged exploration of bold historical graphics of WWII Bomber ‘Nose Art’ and relevant wartime imagery. The idea was relatively simple in the end: use these historical cues to create an identity and packaging that evoked the nostalgia of that era, that spoke of strong and courageous men and women and resonated with Stokes predominantly male audience.

Our solution references the typographic slogans and graphic symbols that adorned these aircraft, our intention was for these labels to feel as if they had been proudly painted on. True to the era, a distinctive military colour palette distinguishes each variety label, further reinforcing Stoke Bombers influences and character. Each Bomber variety also features a unique carton with historic WWII imagery that’s fittingly screen printed to brown kraft board for an authentic look and feel.

The entire package creates a graphic story and nostalgic nod to a time where the boys did their best for their countries freedom and honour, and no doubt enjoyed a few cold brews or two at the end of the day.